Rettinger Herbert I MD

Dr Rettinger is an amazing doctor. He is one of the best, probably the best Endocrinologist in southern CA in my opinion. A caring doctor who is a doctor for all the right reasons and it shows. He is very easy to talk with, and does not rush your appointment nor does he ignore your opinion or concerns. Everything about Dr Rettinger is positive and worthy of mention.

He has been a blessing in many ways. He really was the only dr that was able to really figure out that it was my thyroid. He also was an amazing support when we went through a small cancer scare. I love this guy, he takes the time to listen and he really also knows how to find the solution. I have been with him for about 12 years and he really is a great doctor.

Dr Rettinger is one of the most highly respected Endo’s in the country. Is is world renowned for thyroid disorders. I am a T1 and the doc has always been very good with me and never rushes me out. He always spends time and answers your questions and always makes you feel good. It’s always good to see Dr. Rettinger.
The wait times in the office can suck, always book first thing in the morning. And getting prescriptions refilled and authorizations handled are slow. Although I will say they have gotten a lot better. Welcome to CA HMO medicine. BUT the last visit I had an appt he imputed it all in the computer and send all my refills directly to my prescription company so maybe turning over a new leaf?
Over the years this office has gotten better and better. Compared to 7 years ago they are amazing.

I was referred to doctor Rettinger by my general practitioner. I had some lab results come back with less than optimal thyroid levels. I have been having all the symptoms of hypothyroidism for many years so to find a reason for the problems was a relief. I got my appointment with Dr. Rettinger and was excited to speak to him as I have heard really great things about him. Everyone at the office was so nice and Dr. Rettinger himself is a sweetheart. Very nice man.
He did tell me however, that my doctor must have made a mistake reading my labs because my levels were all fine (really, my doctor just misread labs, unlikely). I did some of my own research and found out that while I was in a «normal» range, I was not in an «optimal» or «functioning» range. Not even close. Even with their «normal» range, I was right on the brink of abnormal. The doctor and I went through the list of symptoms and I had experienced probably ⁸⁄₁₀ on the list. He came to the conclusion that I was healthy as a horse and nothing was wrong with me! With borderline lab results and significant symptoms, I would have to argue that he is wrong. Now I wasted over 2 hours with the appointment, and my copay. I have to go back to my general practitioner to get a different referral for another doctor that might actually take me seriously.
The only reason I give two stars is because everyone in the office was very nice and the process was pretty quick and simple.

Molly is great. She is the most competent one there.

Office staff is not compassionate and will make you reschedule if you are ten minutes late. I always have to wait at least 45 minutes to an hour to see the doctor and during that time, there are always people complaining in person and over the phone. You always feel rushed when they are «helping» you, like they want to get you out of the way. When calling over the phone, they always refer you to a voicemail whenever possible.

I have never written a negative review, it takes a lot for me to become upset. But this office has been such a negative experience that it needed to be written. I have been a patient here for almost 2 years and have never seen any of the doctors in the group. I have had two different lab results lost. They do not have the ability to send a lab request directly to a lab so I have had to physically drive to their office and pick up a lab slip each time. And I am yet to be called back when they say they are going to. The straw that broke the camels back was this last time when because of a pregnancy, the prescription I needed was time sensitive. After the front desk told me someone would be calling me back shortly, I yet again never was called back. The following day when I called two more times, I was only sent to an answering machine. It is sad that there are so few endocrinologist offices in orange that this office continues to get business.

The front office staff is incompetent. I’ve gone here for 3 years and early on they failed to obtain referrals, had billing problems, lost prescription refills, and I have practically waited an hour each visit to the the Doctor. Today was the last straw for me waiting one hour to see the Doctor. Changing doctors!

Dr Rettinger rocks. I am a doctor myself and after two visit with him, I am a ardent fan of his. I am a doctor myself and cannot say enough good things about him. He is patient, thorough, encouraging and a truly caring doctor. He is one of the best I have met, and hope that all doctors learn to be like him. He is a ROCK STAR!!! Thanks Doc!

Dr. Rettinger asked me questions about medications, checked lab reports and asked what my daily meals consisted of. He did a physical examination. He absolutely knew what my issue was and advised me on dietary changes to avoid the combination of medicines I had been taking which had made me feel unwell. I found him extremely pleasant and did not try to rush me out of the office. He listened to my concerns. He is very Professional and extremely experienced in diabetic care. I do believe that by following his instructions that I may be down to one or two medications instead of the four or five I had been on. My visit to him was very empowering, he reminded me how important diet and exercise is and above all he believed in me to take control of my diabetes. I am so happy to have found this Doctor.

I don’t get to see this doctor, but the Nurse Paractioner, whom I like very well after 1 year.
Pros: My nurse practioner does not have the cons listed for Dr. Rettinger. Wait times are minimal
Cons: as previously noted, their staff is for the birds. They rarely answer the phone, rarely return voice messages or even prescription refill requests from pharmacies. My last dealing took me several days to get a request for new test strips in. by the tiem I got service on this, she requesting the wrong type of strips and now again I cannot reach anyone to speak t and have not had a message returned.

Pros:
Great reputation
Very high concern for patient well being
Professional
Thourough
Willing to explain procedures/​symptoms
Cons:
Sometimes there is a wait time. However, what good Dr doesnt have a wait time?